Florida Class G Officers Given More Firepower

As of July, two key legislative changes impacting Florida armed security officers have taken effect. Until recently, Class G licensees could not carry more than a .38 caliber revolver or 9 mm semi-auto. The adventurous could use a .357 provided it held .38 ammo.

Now, state policy has changed and armed officers are allowed to carry a .40 caliber or a .45 ACP (automatic colt pistol).

Prior to the change, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had already granted 74 waivers to security companies.

These waivers allowed the company's officers to carry .45s or .40s. The waiver requests contained various reasons such as the company guarded critical infrastructure and felt the need for the higher caliber.

In one instance, the excuse seemed particularly far fetched as a security company requested the waiver because local law enforcement utilized .40 handguns and the company felt that its officers should be able to exchange ammunition with police officers during emergency situations.

Additionally, the policy changes now allow armed officers to work in plain clothes. Until now Class "G" licensees could only carry their firearm while in uniform. This change lets the armed officer conceal his handgun and work in plain clothes. The new provisions assist security professionals who work as bodyguards and who previously were forced to work in plain clothes under the auspices of a private investigator's license. They no longer need to apply for an investigator's license but can work in plain clothes with just a Class "G" license.

The changes required approval of the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott. They were approved on final passage without a single dissenting vote and were signed by Scott in June.

Class "G" officers will also experience a change in their yearly re-qualifying shoot. Previously armed offices shot three cycles of 48 rounds each with the requirement to score a 70%. Now they only need to shoot one cycle. Ammunition shortages purportedly promoted the change.

JW Murphey

Murphey started a private security agency at the age of 19. He enjoys writing articles to assist those in the security industry with the licensing and training process. He can be contacted @JW.Murphey@securityofficerhq.com.

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